The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-03-10
A DOOR AJAR.

twas all over; past and done with
forever; not hope remained. Incz
Cameron had plucked them one by one
from his heart in her cool, stately, grace.
full way, half an hour before, when she
declined his hand and offered him her
friendship, in the dim, sweet-scentcd
glen, which he could sec from the win
dow at which he sat.
Friendship from her" he muttcrcd
savagely while burning wrath famed
in his dark eyes. ''Did she think had
been her slave for almost year to be
content with that at last2 As true as
there is heaven above Inc, she allowed
me to think she cared. l was no fool to
say such words as l said to-day to her,
unless had been encouraged! You
have taught me lesson, my fair. faced
lnez. lstakc my hopes of an earthly
heaven on no woman's smile hereafter
and danglc no longer in your train,
lovely as you undoubtedly are, and dain-
ty and dazzling. Idoubt if l ever take
any fair lady to reign here. When SIS
ter Nettie and her host of friends depart
in a months time will 60 roaming
once more. No man cares for his home
when his heart is as heavy as mine is.''
The shadows gathered and lcngtheneo,
but Guy Handel sat silent and miserable,
trying to crush down the regrets-trying
to bury the corpse of his love-dream.
1t was bitter to him, this rejection by
the girl he had wooed in such a princely
fashion; whom he, perhaps, had reason
to think he could win.
Life seemed very poor and barren
possession to the stalwart young owner
of that fine old homestead, while sum.
mer twilight gathered its soft draperies
about him, and still he forgot that il
was time to dress for dinner, and mis-
sister and friends would wonder where
he fingered when they came down
presently.
Suddenly low, sweet, soothing
melody sto'c to him there--the air of a
tender old ballad, played lowly, by soue
dainty fingers.
Somehow the music soothel the pain
In his heart, comfortcd him in stran &C
manner, as though the white hands that
toyed with the keyes had left tender
touch ON his forehead.
'1wonder who is playing2" he thought.
'Whoever it il, I hope she will ontinuc.
I wish she would sing"
As if his wish had been heard voice
took up the words of the old song, and
sent them to HIM swcctly where he sat
sad, TENDER ycarning words which made
his eyes grow dim as he listened.
II wonder who she isl 1 do not
recognize the voice." he said to himself,
and then, rising, he quietly crossed te
the door, which was ajar, and looked
into the drawing-room.
In the twilight he saw slight girlisf
figure at the piano, clad in pale amber.
The face was turned from him, but he
knew by the slim willowy figure, the
masses OF rich auburn har, that it was
Inez Cameron's lame cousin, Hilda Dal
las.
'IIow sad the girls voice isl" he
thought. Glow intensely sad YET
she has always seemed bright and cheer.
full when l noticed hcr. fear I rarely
did notice her, poor afh etc child"
Just then the drawing room dool
opened and Inez Cameron entered.
Guy watched her with passionate
alteration and bitter regret in his c yes a
she went and stood near her cousin.
'Don't sing that doeful thing,
IIilda," she said in her slow tones o
silver. 'Even though you may be foo
enough to love man who doesn't care
at all for you, there is no need for you tt
sing that forlorn ballad with your hear
in your voice"
The music had crashed into discord
then stopped.
The girl on the piano stool wheeled
about so that Guy saw her face; ant
from his heart he pitiel Hilda Dalla
when he saw her panied eyes and color
less face.
Ay, and something which was no
love stirred his heart for the fair blue-eyeC
beauty who stood serenely there, her III
curling jast little, her blue and COLDER
draperies falling about her in such grace
full folds.
"What do you mean2" questioned tn
lame girl in quick voice of pain. q
don't love anybody; /"
'Bah!" cut in the blondes silver
tones. "You love NJ. Guy Handel, an
1 have known it for long time
He cares nothing at all for you
he scarcely sees you; to-da
he asked me to become his wife. Now
perhaps, you realize what little sim
pleton you are"
The auburn head was lowered sud
denly, and two white little hands wer
flung over Hilda's colorless face.
moment after, and Guy caught the soun
of quick sobblng, mingled with the To-
ripple Of laughter from Incz
"Oh, I didn't accept him." pursue
the hute-like tones of the woman he ha
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